You've Really Lost Your Mind

[imperialsun]

Characters: Naoya and YOUR BRAVE PARTY OF anyone who wants to help with his Shadow
Setting: Forest Level, 12th of September
Format: Starting with prose, but we can switch it up
Summary: Someone's realizing his so-called twin brother is not really the twin he was looking for.
Warnings: BROTHERRRRRRR

How could he have been this foolish and let it linger on for so long?

Even if he already knew the answer, Naoya's steps felt heavy with each he took, Amon-Ra and Vishnu trying to reassure him that they'd defeat him. He already knew it was his shadow now...so why was it still here?

The forest area, he had said. Old memories if when him and Maki had walked on the journey to meet another shadow a while ago...this was no chance selection of the battleground. And he was right; the place had been completely transformed by the fog and the Shadow's will. The trees took on an 8-bit pixelated look, pink in color.

But even worse, an old model of the MSX machines stood before them; he'd spent countless hours on it, playing games...

After reading it, his hand clenched into a fist.

"He's right. I can't risk any of you in this." After all, the first time it had only been him and Maki.

[OOC- Anyone can join at all if you'd like!]

Comments

[boxingemperor]

This alteration of scenery was similar to what his shadow had done. The forest no longer looked real; it was pixelated, like it was pulled out of one of those video games Junpei obsessed over but even simpler in look. Naoya must've liked them as well.

He didn't plan on letting his new ally face it alone. Knowing what his own shadow was capable of, it didn't seem like a smart option. He'd have said the same thing, given the chance. However, his shadow has already been fought, and it may debilitate him in the same way.

"I'm still coming along."

[imperialeclipse]

As soon as those words were uttered, a counter appeared above Akihiko's head before a voice spoke.

HP [█████████░░░░]
SP [███████░░░░░░]
CHARACTER TYPE: BRAWLER

"Looks like they aren't listening to you! I suppose I should congratulate you on having others willing to follow you into the Lion's Den, but the guilt you'll feel sending them off to fight me with you is much more amusing."

[quiltrap]

Rose was just passing through when she noticed the odd look of the forest. After everything she had been through in the last few days, she was tempted to just turn around and walk away. But if these last few days had taught her anything it was that she could not keep holding herself away from the world...even this world.

So, pulling her craft bag higher up on her shoulder, she primly marched over to the people near the machine to offer her assistance.

[boxingemperor]

What?

[Akihiko looks up. While he's no gamer, he know what those bars mean. One is probably his health, and the other a gauge of power or something similar.]

[technologic]

The forest area reminded April of the old computers she used to work on, and curiosity caused her to investigate further until she came the machine and the others staying by it.

And in reply to Naoya, she shakes her head.

"Nope, I'm going in."

[thebigsister]

"You're being dumb."

Eleanor folds her arms over her chest, at ease underneath her suit once more. She's done it for the first time in a while, and as she'd thought, the familiarity was comforting. She didn't quite understand what was going on with the monsters and these Shadows, or how the fog worked.

She'd been definitely exposed to it before, and nothing had happened.

"Battles are easier when you have help."

And more exciting, but she had a feeling that was not the right thing to say.

[imperialeclipse]

What is there to what about? I'm just making this a little more interesting, that's all...

[You can't see him, but can you feel the Shadow's smirk somewhere?]

Now be a good little minion and listen to what my brother has to say...I'm sure he'd like that.

[imperialeclipse]

As soon as she did, a counter appeared over her head and stayed there.

HP [███████░░░░░░]
SP [██████████░░░]
CHARACTER TYPE: FATE WARRIOR

"Oh who's this? A few ally you made this week? Just a random stranger helping you? Either way, you should count yourself lucky that they are, considering how you treated your own group..."

[imperialeclipse]

And for her words, a counter appeared over her head and stayed there.

HP [████████████░]
SP [██████████░░░]
CHARACTER TYPE: TECHNO FIEND

"Ahh yes, dearest April-san, was it not? Naoya did find you quite charming, did you know that? But now the question is, do you really think he's trustworthy at all? He might say all those sweet words to make you feel better, but is he really?"

[imperialeclipse]

And for her words, a counter appeared over her head and stayed there.

HP [████████████░]
SP [█████░░░░░░░░]
CHARACTER TYPE: DARK BERSERKER

"Straight out of one of your ally's mouth! What do you have to say to that Naoya? How does it feel to be called dumb? Granted you've been called much worse haven't you?"

The Shadow's laughter erupted all around them.

"Battles are easier when you have help. That's what friends are for...aren't they...Naoya?"

[thebigsister]

"He's dumb for trying to reject my help," Eleanor says louder, and the porthole in the helmet goes a very threatening red. Her feet slid slightly apart, taking on a fighting stance and she raised her hands, needle and harpoon at the ready. And just because you're annoying her, they also lit on fire, ready to go. "But what does it say about you, for picking a fight with me?"

[technologic]

She just... blinks and stares at the counter above her head with a raised eyebrow. 'Techno Fiend'? Though her attention is taken away from that when she hears his voice.

"... I don't know, but I'm willing to try to trust him."

[imperialeclipse]

"Endless amusement."

[thebigsister]

"No, where I come from we call that being suicidal, on top of being dumb."

[quiltrap]

Rose looked up, waving her hands through the strange image above her. Finding it intangible and persistent, she moved around a bit to see if it followed her. Of course it did. Her shoulders slumped and she pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes.

"Oh what fresh hell is this nonsense."

[imperialeclipse]

"Considering me and my...bother took out the Night Queen, a man with the powers of the Crawling Chaos, and obliterated Pandora...I might say the same of you!"

He laughed again.

"Oh but I do like you. Quite a lot of spunk in your attitude."

[imperialeclipse]

"Amusement. I told my brother we'd be playing a game, after all."

[imperialeclipse]

"Ha ha ha ha! So brave! Quite a development for you, considering, but so foolish. After all, I know my own brother like the back of my hand...oh well. Let the fools come to me, I'll enjoy breaking all of you one by one."

[thebigsister]

"And you did all that by talking? How impressive!" Have some heavy handed irony. She's good at that. She's good at being snarky, there's so much snark in the minds of people living through dark, evil times.

[technologic]

"Hmm? I'd like to see you try." If there's one thing encountering her Shadow has managed to help do, besides make her more willing to trust, it's make her more confident in using her abilities to fight.

[quiltrap]

"...And what exactly do colored bars have to do with a game?"

[imperialeclipse]

"Typical stuff in most role playing games. Haven't you heard of those, old maid?"

[miseris_socios]

Ken doesn't care if Naoya wants his help or not. He'd prefer to ask first, but this whole week has been screwed up.

So he steps forward into the forest, spear held at his side.

[quiltrap]

"Vaguely. So what do these bars mean, Voice?"

[imperialeclipse]

For his help, a counter appears over his head.

HP [████████░░░░░]
SP [████████░░░░░]
CHARACTER TYPE: SIDEKICK

"Ha ha ha. So how old are you exactly? Ten?"